Just like an adept sculptor who can bring new friends out of a mass of stone, Wedekind can cause new and amicable characters to emerge out of well-worn songs that we have often taken for granted.  Many of us, for instance, are familiar with the Irish waltz "Danny Boy."  But it takes a gifted ear to be able to connect this ode of about an Irish son going off to war with Psalm 23.  "World of Christmas," Wedekind's debut Christmas album, is anything but ordinary.  Don't let the song titles mislead you.  Though many of the songs may appear like paeans our shopping malls have recycled every Christmas season, Wedekind has a way of bringing out something fresh out of each of these covers.  On occasions she may even take a secular piece and weave the message of Christ into it transforming it into an anointed worship song.  And this is not to discount the originals: amongst the seasonal favorites, we are also introduced to three original allowing us to sample Wedekind's variegated musical tastes and her passions.

Before we delve into the record, it's worthwhile saying a few words first about Wedekind.  Based in Houston, Wedekind had a long standing career in marketing before she felt the Lord's calling into the music ministry seven years ago.  After finishing her associate degree in music and re-polishing her vocal performances, piano, song writing and music theory, she dived into the deep end with the release of "Clear Skies Ahead" where she tackled some of the most intricate pieces from the Great American Songbook.  "World of Christmas" is the long awaited follow-up.  This time it is helmed by Grammy Winner Jeff Bova (who produced Celine Dion's "Falling into You") and it features a host of session greats such as Tim Pierce (Bruce Springsteen), John Pierce (Huey Lewis & the News) and Denny Fongheiser (Elton John). 

If there's any song that speaks of the universality of the mission of Christ, it is the lead single "One Child."  Using her sturdy alto to navigate us through some Celtic flutes before meandering passed some African drumming before embarking on a sing along worshipful chorus, "One Child" aptly speaks of how God gave His Son to all the nations on that first Christmas.  Continuing on with the theme of how Christ's birth transforms the entire world is the bouncy 80s pop-sounding "Joyful Christmas."  Speaking of universality, Wedekind actually does cross the linguistic barrier with the ethereal-leaning ballad "Song in the Air/Il Est Ne" where she sings in both French and English.  Sounding like Charlotte Church except with a stronger enunciation, the classic titled "Canon on the Lord's Prayer" features some heavenly sounding violins that accompany Wedekind's angelic voice.

The Deluxe version features two extra cuts: both of which were garnered from Wedekind's preceding record "Clear Skies Ahead."  The first is the aforementioned "Psalm on Danny Boy" which is essentially Psalm 23 set to the music of "Danny Boy."  And the other is a gorgeous powerhouse version of "The Prayer" a track first recorded by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli.  The only misstep on the album is "Jolly Old St. Nicholas:" it contains some dated Jack Swing funky drums that is definitely out of place on what is a more contemplative adult contemporary/pop record.  Nevertheless, when it comes to song interpretation Wedekind is without peer.  A song when placed in her care, regardless of its familiarity or lack thereof, can bloom and blossom with a new life of its own.